The suspect in the shooting of 10 people on a Brooklyn subway train on Tuesday morning remains at large, as New York police officials ask people for assistance in his capture.
The mass shooting took place in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn when a gunman wearing a gas mask threw two smoke grenades on the floor of the train platform. He then fired 33 shots, hitting 10 people, five of whom were critically injured. Thirteen others suffered injuries due to smoke inhalation, falls and panic attacks, reported the New York Times.
In response to the attack, New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan, offered his prayers fro the injured and for first responders.
“My prayers for all those injured in today's horrific attack on the subway in Brooklyn, and for the NYPD, EMS, and other first responders. The Church stands ready to assist in any way that it can,” he tweeted.
Brooklyn Bishop Robert J. Brennan released a statement calling for prayers.
“On this Tuesday of Holy Week, our city has suffered a terrible attack on New Yorkers just trying to commute,” the bishop said in a statement. “Let us fervently pray for the multiple people shot and injured in a Sunset Park subway station.”
“Lord, help the healing hands take care of the victims and protect the law enforcement officers trying to locate the suspect in this shooting,” Bishop Brennan said. “We are grateful for their courage and service to protect us. And please, Lord, keep us all safe in your embrace.”
Police have identified as "person of interest" in the shooting, Frank R. James, a 62-year old man with residences in Wisconsin and Philadelphia.
A credit card with James' name on it was found at the scene, along with a key to a U-Haul van that James had rented and abandoned nearby. A Glock 9-millimeter handgun, three ammunition magazines, a hatchet, fireworks and a liquid believed to be gasoline were also found, according a New York Times report.
According to multiple new reports, James has posted many videos on social media in which he calls for a race war and makes derogatory remarks about black people, white people, Jewish people and Mexicans.
Newsweek reported that in his latest video, posted on April 11, 2022, "James said that he has wanted to watch people die and that he has been through a lot in his life."
Authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for James' capture.
